Sustainable biodegradable packaging for single-use plastic alternatives

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OBJECTIVES: My research program uniquely targets advancing the discovery of innovative biobased and biodegradable plastic blends and their biocomposites for sustainable packaging uses to reduce plastic waste. The long-term vision is to engineer novel materials with advanced properties including mechanical and high barrier performance to substitute single use petro based plastic packaging. The key focus is on incorporation of biobased carbon and agro residues into bioplastic matrices to produce multifunctional and affordable biocomposites with tunable properties for developing multilayer films and sheets for rigid and flexible packaging uses. Another distinct aspect of this proposal is to prepare tailored bioplastic formulations targeted for universal biodegradability in industrial and home compost, and marine environments. RESEARCH APPROACH AND INTELLECTUAL MERIT: Original aspects of the proposed program include: (i) development of novel biodegradable blends and biocomposites through innovative compatibilization, advanced polymer processing and addition of biofillers to achieve a stiffness-toughness balance for rigid and flexible packaging applications; (ii) production of biocarbons from variable heat treatment of agro-food residues to aid in gas barrier enhancement of composites; (iii) experimental design optimization of multilayer films and sheets to fabricate packaging materials with required mechanical properties, dimensional stability, barrier performance, and biodegradability. Studying processing-structure-property correlation and biodegradation parameters will be fundamental to the proposed research. EXPECTED RESULTS: The proposed research aims to create eco-friendly alternative packaging materials from renewable and waste resources with universal biodegradability to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing current single-use plastics. New knowledge on the effective utilization of under-valued materials, innovative bioplastic blends, and advanced process engineering to fabricate biodegradable formulations, will enable new approaches and ground-breaking solutions for the growing sustainable packaging sector. BROADER IMPACT AND EDUCATION: This leading-edge program will impart critical skills to diverse graduate and undergraduate students across disciplines for long-term impact. These efforts will advance the national agenda to develop sustainable biobased packaging for industrial adoption. The goal of the proposed application is to develop innovative plastic packaging from renewable and industrial waste-stream feedstocks. These new materials can help reduce plastic-based pollution, including landfills and marine environments, and to lower the carbon footprint of plastic packaging. Sustainable packaging is essential and will disruptively impact Canada's economic, environmental and employment outcomes, while providing safe alternatives to help manage single-use packaging waste, with implications for broader impact globally.